Rather than pick up a hire car at the airport, why not make
your trip from A to B more interesting and unusual? Enjoy
experiences you won’t have behind the wheel, and make
the most of your holiday overseas with our
guide to unusual transport for travel
. We’ll help you enjoy the best the world has to
offer.
Cruise the world’s great rivers
The Amazon, the Mekong, the Nile and the Rhine, or the Cape
York Wetlands. Just some of the world’s iconic
waterways, best enjoyed slowly and smoothly on a boat
cruise. Choose from an all-inclusive luxury liner, or a
small motorboat, for a more intimate journey between the
banks – whichever you prefer.
The paddle steamer
These days you don’t need a straw hat, a waxed
moustache or a cigarette holder to ride these beautiful
boats. Paddle steamers offer journeys through the
Mississippi River of Mark Twain’s America, the Italian
and Swiss lakes and rivers, and many other waterways
worldwide. But the largest fleet of paddle steamers in the
world today is on the Murray River in Australia, and
includes the oldest wooden-hulled steamer in the world, the
PS Adelaide.
On the railroad track
See America’s heartland of deserts, mountain ranges,
prairies, forests and old mining towns, by heading from
Florida to California along Amtrak’s ‘Sunset
Limited’ line. Or take Canada’s famous Kicking
Horse Route through vast unspoilt terrain. Then
there’s the historic Silk Route running all the way
from Moscow, through Kazakhstan to Beijing in China. Or the
awesome Trans Siberian Railroad, covering 5,803 miles from
Moscow in western Russia, to Vladivostock on Russia’s
Pacific coast.
Hit the camel trail
These amazing beasts of burden are still used in many
countries for carrying goods and people to remote places,
almost inaccessible by vehicles or aircraft. You can enjoy
camel trails in India, Morocco, Egypt and Kenya. A camel
ride to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan is an amazing
journey that takes you back thousands of years.
Elephant safaris
If a camel’s not big enough, try an elephant.
Leisurely elephant safaris are available in Corbett National
Park, India, and around Sun City, South Africa, offering a
surprisingly comfortable and safe journey through
breathtaking scenery, and wildlife in its natural
environment.
The tuk-tuk
A three-wheeled combination of moped and taxi, these
‘motorised rickshaws’ can be noisy and
hair-raising at times. But a tuk-tuk ride is a
‘must-have’ experience and a cheap way to
navigate the bustling cities of Asia, Central and South
America, and parts of Europe. If you like a bumpy ride with
lots of near misses, shouting and sounding of the horn,
you’ll love the tuk-tuk!
As with any unusual activity when you’re overseas,
make sure your insurance covers it. Many airlines and tour
operators offer basic insurance as part of your holiday deal
– but it may not cover your needs.
